Barnes & Noble partners with Samsung to release new NOOK

Barnes & Noble releases the first full android tablet optimized for reading.

An up-close look at the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK.Credit: Provided

Today, Barnes & Noble unveiled its latest NOOK, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK, marking the first android tablet optimized for reading. In the past, Barnes & Noble has really zeroed in on reading when it came to the NOOK, and while that is still a paramount focus, customer feedback has shown them that NOOK users also want stay connected to Facebook, Twitter and more.

The 7-inch tablet is outfitted with users' downloaded books, gaming apps, movies and TV shows - which users can buy, rent or stream - and a camera. Like previous versions of the NOOK, there are personal recommendations based on a user's interests and past picks, similar in that vein to Netflix. There are also the same in-store perks offered, such as free WiFi and free in-store reading.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook is on sale starting today for $179 (after a $20 rebate) at Barnes & Noble stores, bn.com and nook.com. To celebrate the release, customers will receive over $200 of free content, including three best-selling books, a year's worth of four magazines, and free TV episodes.